HR calls for block on planned EU temps directive

Nearly 60 per cent of HR professionals want the UK to block EU legislation
giving temporary staff the same rights to remuneration as full-time staff.

The survey, by law firm DMH, finds almost 30 per cent of the 400 HR
professionals surveyed would reduce the number of temps they employ if the
planned EU directive is introduced.

More than half of the respondents would consider employing temporary staff directly
and 33 per cent anticipate using full-time cover staff to fill gaps.

Rustom Tata, an employment lawyer and partner at DMH, said: "Employers
in the UK use the greatest percentage of agency staff proportionately in the
EU.

"Business will need to encourage the Government to take their interests
and concerns on board as regards the detail of any final directive in this
area.

"The real question is whether the anticipated reduction in the use of
agency staff will create a corresponding increase in permanent jobs. The survey
shows that this will not necessarily result from these changes."